 Mike
Bailey's View on Veteran's Day 2005
The following
is from a buddy of mine's son. His name is Mike Bailey,
son of Larry and Lisa Bailey of Des Moines. I am proud to
have watched Mike grow up as both a child and an adult.
Danny
I went to
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall today to pay respects for Veterans’
day. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General
Peter Pace gave a great speech. No notes, all from memory,
and very moving. I was told that General
Pace had only been to the wall three times, because it is
such an emotional place for him. He gave his speech with the wall
behind him, and two honor guards standing with the colors at the
top center of the wall.
Gen
Pace began his speech by telling us he was personally very
honored to be there because men who had died in Vietnam listening
to the orders of their rifle platoon leader were written on that
wall... he then listed from memory about 6 to 10 names of men
who had followed the orders of then Lieutenant
Pace. He would pause every so often, partly because of the
sound of planes flying over, but I think also because he was trying
hard to maintain his composure. It was hard not to get teary listening
to a Marine Corps 4 star general get choked up as he named the
men who had died under his command over 30 years ago.
He then said that he was professionally very proud to be there
because he had the honor of representing the 2.4 million service
members on currently serving on active duty, in the reserves and
National Guard. He spoke about the fear of battle, and the
fear soldiers are currently dealing with daily in the current
war. He said aloud the oath that all military personnel have to
say when enlisted or commissioned into the military and spoke
of the honor of service. He went on to say that groups such as
Al Qaeda want to destroy our way of life, and prevent us from
gathering together like we did today. General
Pace then assured the crowd that those 2.4 Million men and
women in uniform would NEVER let that happen! He then said, “this
will never happen, but if they break through that 2.4 million
men and women I know there are over 25 million living veterans
in this country who would gladly strap it back on and continue
to defend this country to our last!”
One of the best speeches I have heard in a long time. I can’t
do it justice in writing but it was very moving and I wanted to
share it with all of you.
HAPPY VETERANS’ DAY!!
Mike Bailey mike@baileys-world.com
Call us at 515-265-2402
|
